Words / C2

tr-uh-DYOOS/trəˈdjuːs/

To traduce is to damage someone by unfair, often public, misrepresentation (formal / literary): traduce a reputation, traduced in the press. Slander is the everyday legal-ish cousin; defame is wider. Invective (already in the dictionary) is the abusive language itself. Innuendo (already in the dictionary) is the oblique hint. Do not traduce a junior for asking where the date went.

Meaning

To say damaging, unfair things about someone; to slander (formal / literary).

Examples

• “Do not traduce a junior for asking where the date went.”
• “Slander is the close attack. Defame is wider. Invective is the insult-as-attack (already in C2). Innuendo is the sideways hint (already in C2). A dated finding can name a post without smearing a person. Asking for the n is not a character defect. Correct the cell; spare the corridor story.”

Good to know

Slander; misrepresent (formal). Everyday: slander / smear. Close: defame. Contrast: invective (abusive language — already in C2); innuendo (oblique hint — already in C2). Asking for a date is not a slur.

Near in meaning

slander

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